Tension equalizing device



March 11, 1947.

A. JOHNSON Y 2,417,252 TENS-ION EQUALIZING DEVICE Filed Aug; 4, 71945 /0 ',V 43 Fl 23 V v mmvrox. 2, 9: By Amara/mm Patented Mar. 11, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE TENSION EQUALIZING DEVICE Albert Johnson, New York, N. Y. Application August 4, 1945, Serial No. 608,981 4 Claims. (Cl. 242-456) This invention is for a device for equalizing the tension on a strand of wire, thread and the like as the same is unwound from a spool or reel.

In removing or unwinding a strand from a spool or reel, the tension or pull on the strand to effect rotation of the spool or reel increases as the quantity of material thereon decreases or in other words as the radius of the take-ofl 'decreases. -Unless provision is made for equalizing the tension on the strand, the same is gradually wound tighter on the receiving spool or form' as the tension increases. In order to overcome this objection, the present invention provides a device by which the spool or reel is subjected to a braking action in relation to the quantity or weight of the material thereon whereby substantially the same tension or pull on the strand is required to effect spool or reel irrespective of the quantity of material thereon.

' The invention further provides a device of the indicated character in which the spool or reel is supported upon rockable braking shoes having resilient movement at the free end of a rock arm.

The invention also has for an object the provision of a spool or reel tensioning device mounted on a 'reciprocatory support which is tensioned' against movement in the direction of the pull on the strand whereby the tension thereon may be visually determined and which functions to take up any sudden increase in tension on the strand due to catching of the same on the winding on the spool or reel to thereby eliminate possible breaking of the strand.

The invention also has in view the provision of means for resiliently suspending a spool or reel of excessive weight while supported upon brake shoes having resilient upward movement so as to prevent undue tension on the strand for rotating the same to effect unwinding thereof.

With the foregoing and other objects in 'view reference is now made-to the following specification and accompanying drawings in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a tension equalizing device constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken approximately on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.-

Fig.v 4is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken approximately on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

rotation or turning of the thereon.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectionalview taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4. I

\ Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, the tension equalizing device includes a base In provided with longitudinally extending side rails ll secured to opposite longitudinal side edges and projecting upwardly above the upper in the opposite walls of the base which define the opening l3. The rollers l4 support the plate I! for reciprocatory movement thereon longitudinally of the base l0.

The plate I! has mounted thereon at one end thereof a pair of laterally spaced standards l8 each of which is formed with a vertical slot i I extending downwardly from the upper end to a point adjacent the bottom thereof and which slots open through the opposite side faces of the standards to dispose the same in transverse alignment. A spool or reel A mounted on a cross shaft I8 is adapted to be disposed between the standards with the shaft l8 mounted for rotation in the slots l1.

In order to provide means for equalizing the tension or pull on the "take-off strand of the material wound on the spool or reel A, a pair'of brake shoes 19 joumaled on a cross shaft 20 is provided which engage the peripheries of the flanges of the spool or reel A vertically below the center thereof. The cross shaft 20 is secured in a support 2| lo ated at the free end of a lever 22 pivoted intermediate its length to a yoke 23, theyoke' being secured to the support or plate l2 with the opposite end of the lever extending upwardly and connected with the support .or plate l2 by a coiled contractile spring 24. The spring 24 tensions .the brake. shoes [9 against downward movement so that the same resiliently supports the spool or reel A and provides means whereby the spool or reel has vertical reciprocatory movement with the slots 16 serving as guides for the recinrocatory as well as rotary movement thereof. Thusly supported. a frictional braking action against rotation of the spool or reel will be set up between the flanges thereof and the brake shoes in relation to the combined weight of the spool orreel and-thematerial wound Since the frictional braking action of the pool or reel decreases with the removal or of the cross shaft 1 suspended betweenthe rings unwinding of the material therefrom and the radius of the "take-off" removal or unwinding of being unwound therefrom will tiallythe same tension or pull to effect rotation of the spool or reel irrespective of the amount of material thereon. A

This permits of the winding of the strand indicated by the reference character 3 on ya spool or form directly from the spool or reel A and since the tension on the strand B is substantially the same during the unwinding'thereof from the spool or reel A the strand will be wound on the spool or form C with thesame degree of tightness.

The support or plate I2 is provided with a longi tudinally extending inverted T shaped slot 25 opening through the upper and lower faces thereof for slidably receiving therein a bolt 28 extending upwardly through the base of the yoke 23 and which is adapted to be disposed at longitudinally spaced positions for adlustably fulcruming the lever 22 in anyone of the openings 21 therein to thereby vary the distance of the cross shaft 20 from the said fulcrum and the tension of the spring 24 against downward movement of the brake shoes l9.

In order to reduce the braking action of the the material, the strand brake shoes against a heavy spoolor reel a pair.

of coiled expansion springs 28 is provided which are respectively secured at their upper ends to tubular adjusting screws 29 and at their lower ends to rings 30 mounted on the protruding ends l8 betweena fixed collar 3| and a retaining nut 32 threadedly engaging each end of the shaft. 'The adjusting screws 29 extend through openings in the cross head upon the upperends of the standards IS, the protruding ends of nuts 34 for'adiustin-g the upward pull or tension of the springs 28 whereby the spool or reel A is 30 for vertical reiprocatory and rotary movements with the weight thereof disposed upon the brake shoes I! in accordance with the setting of the nuts 34'. Secured to the rings 30 are rods within the springs 28 with the upper free ends of the rods slidably disposed in the bores of the ad-. lusting screws 29 respectively and which function to prevent rotation of the rings 30 and retain the springs 28 in vertical alignment with the rings and adjusting screws."

The rearmost furcation 38 of each of the standards It is formed with an upper portion .31 'hin-gedlyconnected therewith by hinge 38 to permit 01' the outward swinging of the upper portions 31 so that the reel or spool A may be removably disposed between the standards It with the cross shaft l8 located in the slots H. The upper ends also decreases with thebe under substan- 35 extending upwardly 33' secured the screws being engaged by ing thereof hook l2 secured to and depending from the under face of the said support or plate. The forward end of the said support or plate is provided with a pointer 43 projecting over the upper edge of the adjacent side rail provided with a scale 44 on the upper edge thereof for visually indicating by the movement of the pointer 43 with the support or plate l2 the degree of tension exerted on the strand B when unwinding the same from the spool or reel A,

The lever 22 is connected with the spring 24 by a bolt 45 projecting upwardly through an opening in the end of said lever for varying the elevation of the brake shoes l9 by 48 thereon. In order to prevent I9 on the flanges of the spool or reel A, the cross shaft 20 protrudes into the" slots I1 and between the brake shoes and the standards It the cross shaft has secured thereon the enlarged lower ends of upwardly extending arms 46 having outwardly directed free ends 41 projecting into the slots l1 respectively. The brake shoes [9 may engage'the peripheries of the flanges of the spool or reel A or the flanges may be formed as disks secured to the cross shaft 18 between which the material is wound on'a spool in the form of a drum.

What is claimed is: j

1. In a device for equalizing the tension on a strand of material required to eifect the unwindmaterial thereon and mounted on a cross shaft, a support, a pair of spaced standards amxed to said support and each formed with an upward lyextending slot opening through the opposite side faces thereof to dispose the slots intransverse alignment with each other for guidedly receiving therein the said cross shaft for reciprocatory and rotary movements-with the spool ar-' ranged between the standards, a lever pivoted intermediate its length upon said support to dispose the opposite ends thereof for vertical swinging movement, a cross shaft secured to one end of said lever, a brake shoe rockably mounted on said cross shaft on each side of said lever upon which the spool is supported and frictionally engages when rotated to effect unwinding of the strand, a coiled contractile spring connected between the opposite end of said lever and the support for resiliently supporting upon said brake shoes the weight of the spool and material wound thereonya longitudinally extending base for said support, means mounting said support for longitudinal reciprocatory movement thereon and a coiled contractile spring connected with said base and said support for tensioning the of the upper portions of the furcations 88 are beveled as at 39 providing a' clearance between the same and the cross head 38 to permit ofthe outward swinging of the said portions 81." Bolts 40 extend through the said and the opposite furcations of thestandards [6 securing the-said upper portions against stops ll' depending from the under face of the cross head with the said upper portions ment with the lower portions thereof and spaced from the opposite furcations by the slots l1.

in vertical alignupper portions 31 support against the tension on the strand required to effect unwinding thereof from the spool. f

2. In a device for equalizing the tension on a strand of material required to effect the unwindingsthereof from a spool having a quantity of said material thereon and mounted on a cross shaft, a'longitudinally extending support, a pair of spaced standards aflixed to said support. at one end thereof and each formed with an upwardly extendingslot opening through the opposite side faces thereof to dispose the slots in transverse alignment witheach other for guidedly receiving therein the said cross shaft for-reciprocatory the spool or reel A by means of 'a coiled contractile spring ll secured at one-end to'the intermediate cross-shaft I 5 and at the opposite end ton andjrotary movements with the spool arranged between the standards, a lever, means pivoting said lever intermediate its length upon said support to dispose the opposite ends thereoffor veradjusting the nut binding of the forward portion of the brake shoes from a spool havin'ga quantity of said spool and material wound thereon, said means being adjustable longitudinally 'of the support for varying the pivotal connection with the lever and therebyvarying the tension ofsaid spring against the spool, a longitudinally extending base, a plurality of rollers mounted on said base 5 on which the support is disposed for reciprocatory movement thereof longitudinally of said base and a coiled contractile spring connected with said base and said support for tensioning the support against the tension on the strand required to effect unwinding thereof from the spool for taking up any sudden increase in tension on the strand to prevent breakage thereof.

3. In a device for equalizing the tension on a strand of material required to effect the unwinding thereof from a spool having a quantity of said material thereon and mounted on a cross shaft; a support, a pair of spaced standards affixed to said support and each formed with an upwardly extending slot opening through the opposite side faces thereof to dispose the slots,

in transverse alignment with each other for guidedly receiving therein the said cross shaft for reciprocatory and rotary movements with the' spool arranged between the standards, a ring mounted on each end of said cross shaft, adjusting screws carried by the upper -ends of said standards respectively and coiled contractile springs connected between said adjusting screws and said rings providing an upward tension upon 40 said cross shaft in opposition to the weight of said spool, a, lever pivoted intermediate its length upon said support to dispose the opposite ends thereof for vertical swinging movement, a cross shaft secured to one end of said lever, a brake shoe rockably mounted on said cross shaft on each side of said lever and frictionally engaging the spool when the same is rotated to effect unwinding of the strand, a coiled contractile spring connected between the opposite end of said lever and the support for resiliently urging the brake shoes into engagement with the spool and for supporting the spool by the brake shoes and the first named springs, a longitudinally extending base for said support, means mounting said support for longitudinal reciprocatory movement support and base for visually indicating the tension on said strand.

4. In a device for equalizing the tension on a length of material required to effect the unwinding thereof from a roll mounted on a cross shaft,

a support, a pair of spaced standards affixed to.

said support and each formed with an upwardly 5 extending slot opening through the side faces thereof to dispose the slots in transverse alignment for guidedly receiving the cross shaft therein for reciprocatory and rotary movements with the roll arranged between the standards, a lever pivoted intermediate its length upon said support to dispose the opposite ends thereof for verticalswinging-movement, a brake shoe rockably mounted on one end of said lever upon which the roll is supported and frictionally engages when rotated to efiect unwinding of the length of material, means tensioning the opposite end of said lever for resiliently supporting upon said brake shoe the weight of the roll and material thereon, a longitudinally extending base for said support, means mounting said support for longitudinal reciprocatory movement thereon and tension means connected with said base and said support for tensioning the support against the tension on the length of material required to effect unwinding thereof from the roll.

ALBERT J OHNSON. 

